Solid electrolytic capacitor

ABSTRACT

A solid electrolytic capacitor includes a capacitor element, an anode terminal, and a cathode terminal. The capacitor element includes an anode body, an anode member buried in the anode body, a dielectric layer formed on part of a surface of the anode body, an electrolyte layer formed on the dielectric layer, and a cathode layer formed on the electrolyte layer. The anode member extends in a predetermined direction along a lower surface of the anode body, and has a lower end portion exposed at the lower surface of the anode body. The anode terminal is electrically connected to the lower end portion. The cathode terminal is electrically connected to the cathode layer at a position below the lower surface of the anode body. The anode and cathode terminals are spaced apart from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the anode member extends.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Japanese patent application Number 2010-277434, upon which this patent application is based, is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a solid electrolytic capacitor.

2. Description of Related Art

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an example of a conventional solid electrolytic capacitor. As shown in FIG. 17, the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor includes a lead-type capacitor element 81, an outer package member 82 covering the capacitor element 81, an anode terminal 83, and a cathode terminal 84. The capacitor element 81 includes an anode body 811 in the foil of a rectangular parallelepiped, an anode lead 812 implanted in the anode body 811, a dielectric layer 813 formed on the outer circumference of the anode body 811, an electrolyte layer 814 formed on the dielectric layer 813, and a cathode layer 815 formed on the electrolyte layer 814. The anode and cathode terminals 83 and 84 are spaced apart from each other in a predetermined direction 89 (horizontal direction in the plane of FIG. 17). Part of a surface of the anode terminal 83 and part of surface of the cathode terminal 84 are exposed at a lower surface 82 a of the outer package member 82. These exposed surfaces of the anode and cathode terminals 83 and 84 form anode and cathode terminal surfaces 830 and 840 of the solid electrolytic capacitor respectively.

In the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor shown in FIG. 17, the capacitor element 81 is placed on the anode and cathode terminals 83 and 84 in such a posture that a pulled-out portion 812 a of the anode lead 812 pointing in the direction 89. The pulled-out portion 812 a and the anode terminal 83 are electrically connected to each other through a conductive pillow member 85. Further, the cathode layer 815 and the cathode terminal 84 are electrically connected to each other through a conductive adhesive agent (not shown) provided therebetween. The solid electrolytic capacitor is given a current path 86 extending from the anode terminal surface 830 through the anode lead 812 to reach the cathode terminal surface 840.

In the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor shown in FIG. 17, the anode lead 812 is pulled out substantially through the center of a surface 811 b as part of the outer circumference of the anode body 811 through which the anode lead 812 is implanted. So, the aforementioned posture of the capacitor element 81 places the pulled-out portion 812 a at a position higher than a lower surface 811 a of the anode body 811. To be specific, the pulled-out portion 811 a is placed far above the anode terminal surface 830.

So, the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor finds difficulty in shortening the current path 86, placing limitations on reduction of ESL (equivalent series inductance) and/or ESR (equivalent series resistance).

It is preferable that the anode terminal 83 be placed near the pulled-out portion 812 a in order to minimize the ESL and/or ESR of a solid electrolytic capacitor. So, if the pulled-out portion 812 a is pointed in the direction 89 as in the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor (FIG. 17), the anode terminal 83 should be provided near the surface 811 b of the anode body 811. As a result, design of the anode and cathode terminals 83 and 84 including arrangement of the anode and cathode terminals 83 and 84, and connections between the anode and cathode terminals 83 and 84 and the capacitor element 81, should be made with a low degree of freedom.

In addition, in the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor shown in FIG. 17, a side surface of the pulled-out portion 812 a of the anode lead 812 is electrically connected to a tip end surface of the pillow member 85. This makes a contact area between the anode lead 812 and the pillow member 85 small so high electrical resistance is easily generated between the anode lead 812 and the pillow member 85, placing an obstacle to reduction of ESR.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A solid electrolytic capacitor of the invention includes a capacitor element, an outer package member covering the capacitor element, an anode terminal, and a cathode terminal. The capacitor element includes an anode body, an anode member buried in the anode body, a dielectric layer, an electrolyte layer formed on the dielectric layer, and a cathode layer formed on the electrolyte layer. The anode member extends in a predetermined direction along a lower surface of the anode body, and has a lower end portion exposed at the lower surface of the anode body. The dielectric layer is formed on part of a surface of the anode body that is in a region different from a region where the anode body contacts the anode member. The anode terminal is electrically connected to the lower end portion of the anode member, and is partially placed at a lower surface of the outer package member. The cathode terminal is electrically connected to the cathode layer at a position below the lower surface of the anode body, and is partially placed at the lower surface of the outer package member. The anode and cathode terminals are spaced apart from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the anode member extends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solid electrolytic capacitor of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the solid electrolytic capacitor;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view used to explain an anode forming step that is part of a method of manufacturing the solid electrolytic capacitor;

FIG. 6 is a view used to explain a dielectric layer forming step that is part of the manufacturing method;

FIG. 7 is a view used to explain an electrolyte layer forming step that is part of the manufacturing method;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view used to explain a first stage of an element mounting step that is part of the manufacturing method;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view used to explain a second stage of the element mounting step that is part of the manufacturing method;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view used to explain an outer package forming step that is part of the manufacturing method;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a first modification of the solid electrolytic capacitor;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a second modification of the solid electrolytic capacitor;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a third modification of the solid electrolytic capacitor;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a different modification of the solid electrolytic capacitor;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an example of a conventional solid electrolytic capacitor; and

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a different example of a conventional solid electrolytic capacitor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solid electrolytic capacitor of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the solid electrolytic capacitor. The solid electrolytic capacitor shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a solid electrolytic capacitor element 1, an outer package member 2 covering the capacitor element 1, an anode terminal 3, and a cathode terminal 4. The outer package member 2 is made of resin such as an epoxy resin.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along lines and IV-IV of FIG. 2 respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the capacitor element 1 has an anode body 11 in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, and an anode member 12 buried in the anode body 11. The outer circumference of the anode body 11 includes a lower surface 11 a (see FIG. 3), and first and second side surfaces 11 b and 11 c (see FIG. 4) substantially opposite each other. The anode member 12 extends between the first and second side surfaces 11 b and 11 c of the anode body 11 as shown in FIG. 4. A lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 projects from the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11 as shown in FIG. 3. So, the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 is exposed at the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11.

The anode body 11 is composed of a porous sintered body made of a valve acting metal. The anode member 12 is made of a valve acting metal the type of which is the same as or different from the valve acting metal constituting the anode body 11. As a result, the anode body 11 and the anode member 12 are electrically connected to each other. Examples of the valve acting metal constituting the anode body 11 and the anode member 12 include tantalum, niobium, titanium, and aluminum.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a dielectric layer 13 is formed on part of the outer circumference of the anode body 11 that is in a region different from a region R where the anode member 12 is exposed (see FIG. 3), namely on part of a surface of the anode body 11 that is in a region different from a region where the anode body 11 contacts the anode member 12. The dielectric layer 13 is formed by electrochemically oxidizing the outer circumference of the anode body 11. In the embodiment, part of the dielectric layer 13 is also formed on a surface of the root of the lower end portion 121 (exposed portion) of the anode member 12.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an electrolyte layer 14 is formed on the dielectric layer 13, and a cathode layer 15 is foil led on the electrolyte layer 14. The electrolyte layer 14 is made of an electrolyte material that can be solidified on the dielectric layer 13. The electrolyte material may be a conductive inorganic material such as manganese dioxide, or a conductive organic material such as TCNQ (tetracyano-quinodimethane) complex salt and conductive polymer. The cathode layer 15 is composed of a carbon layer (not shown) formed on the electrolyte layer 14, and a silver paint layer (not shown) formed on the carbon layer. The electrolyte layer 14 and the cathode layer 15 are electrically connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 are buried in the outer package member 2, and are spaced apart from each other in a direction 92 substantially perpendicular to a direction 91 (see FIG. 4) in which the anode member 12 extends. The anode terminal 3 is electrically connected to the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12, whereas the cathode terminal 4 is electrically connected to the cathode layer 15 at a position below the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11. Electrical connection between the anode terminal 3 and the lower end portion 121 is formed by performing welding on surfaces of the anode terminal 3 and the lower end portion 121 contacting each other. An end portion of the cathode terminal 4 closer to the anode terminal 3 is provided with a bent part 41 in the form of an inverted L. The bent part 41 is formed by deforming the cathode terminal 4 by bending. The bent part 41 and the cathode layer 15 are electrically connected to each other through a conductive adhesive agent (not shown) provided therebetween.

Part of a surface of the anode terminal 3 and part of a surface of the cathode terminal 4 are exposed at a lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2. These exposed surfaces of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 form anode and cathode terminal surfaces 30 and 40 of the solid electrolytic capacitor respectively. Like the arrangement of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 relative to each other, the anode and cathode terminal surfaces 30 and 40 of the embodiment are spaced apart from each other in the direction 92.

A method of manufacturing the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor is described in detail next by referring to drawings. The manufacturing method includes an element forming step, an element mounting step, an outer package forming step, and a cutting step performed in this order. The element forming step is a step of forming the capacitor element 1, and which includes an anode forming step, a dielectric layer forming step, an electrolyte layer forming step, a cathode layer forming step, and a peeling step performed in this order.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view used to explain the anode forming step. As shown in FIG. 5, in the anode forming step, a powder molded body 50 to become the anode body 11 is prepared. The powder molded body 50 is made of powder of a valve acting metal. A metallic member 51 in the form of a prism to become the anode member 12 is provided at a predetermined position of the powder molded body 50. More specifically, the powder is poured in a die of a predetermined shape (not shown) and part of the metallic member 51 is inserted into the die, and thereafter, pressure is applied to the die to press the powder into a solid form.

In the anode forming step, the powder is pressed into a solid form such that the powder molded body 50 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped, more specifically that the powder molded body 50 is given an outer circumference with a first molded surface 50 a to become the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11, and second and third molded surfaces 50 b and 50 c to become the first and second side surfaces 11 b and 11 c of the anode body 11 respectively. Further, the metallic member 51 is provided to the powder molded body 50 such that the metallic member 51 extends from the second molded surface 50 b through the third molded surface 50 c to a position above the third molded surface 50 c, and that a side edge portion 511 of the metallic member 51 to become the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 projects from the first molded surface 50 a of the powder molded body 50.

In the anode forming step, the powder molded body 50 is sintered by burning the powder molded body 50 and the metallic member 51 together at a predetermined temperature. As a result, the powder molded body 50 becomes a porous sintered body to form the anode body 11.

FIG. 6 is a view used to explain the dielectric layer forming step. As shown in FIG. 6, in the dielectric layer forming step, a processing bath 71 filled with an electrolytic solution 710 is prepared first. A cathode plate 711 is provided in the electrolytic solution 710. A solution such as a phosphorus acid solution and an adipic acid solution is used as the electrolytic solution 710. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the anode body 11 is dipped in the electrolytic solution 710, and thereafter, a voltage V1 is applied between the metallic member 51 and the cathode plate 711 to cause a current to flow in the anode body 11. In response, the outer circumference of the anode body 11 is electrochemically oxidized to form an oxide film to become the dielectric layer 13 on the outer circumference of the anode body 11. At this time, an oxide film is also formed on part of an exposed surface of the metallic member 51 that is in a region dipped in the electrolytic solution 710.

Next, in the electrolyte layer forming step, a conductive precoat layer (not shown) is formed on the dielectric layer 13. The precoat layer is made of a conductive material such as a conductive polymer, and is formed by chemical polymerization.

In the electrolyte layer forming step, a processing bath 72 filled with an electropolymerization solution 720 is further prepared as shown in FIG. 7. A cathode plate 721 is provided in electropolymerization solution 720. The electropolymerization solution 720 is made of a conductive organic material such as monomer to become a conductive polymer. Next, the anode body 11 is dipped in the electropolymerization solution 720. Then, an external electrode 722 is caused to electrically contact the precoat layer in the electropolymerization solution 720, and a voltage V2 is applied between the external electrode 722 and the cathode plate 721. In response, a current flows in the precoat layer to form an electropolymerized film on the precoat layer. As a result, the electrolyte layer 14 with the precoat layer and the electropolymerized film is formed on the dielectric layer 13.

In the cathode layer forming step, the anode body 11 is first dipped in a carbon paste to form a carbon layer (not shown) on the electrolyte layer 14. Next, the anode body 11 is dipped in a silver paste to form a silver paint layer (not shown) on the carbon layer. As a result, the cathode layer 15 with the carbon layer and the silver paint layer is formed on the electrolyte layer 14.

In the peeling step, laser is applied to parts of the dielectric layer 13, the electrolyte layer 14, and the cathode layer 15 existing on a surface of the side edge portion 511 of the metallic member 51 (see FIG. 5). This peels off the dielectric layer 13, the electrolyte layer 14, and the cathode layer 15 on this surface to expose a surface of the metallic member 51. Then, the metallic member 51 is cut along line C of FIG. 5. As a result, part of the metallic member 51 remaining on the anode body 11 becomes the anode member 12 to finish formation of the capacitor element 1.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective views used to explain first and second stages of the element mounting step respectively. First, in the element mounting step, anode and cathode frames 61 and 62 to become the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 respectively are prepared as shown in FIG. 8. The anode and cathode frames 61 and 62 are spaced apart from each other in a predetermined direction 93, and lower surfaces 61 a and 62 a of the anode and cathode frames 61 and 62 respectively are arranged on the same plane. An end portion of the cathode frame 62 closer to the anode frame 61 is provided with the bent part 41 in the form of an inverted L. The bent part 41 is formed by deforming the cathode frame 62 by bending. The height T2 of the bent part 41 is determined such that a degree of projection T1 of the anode member 12 from a lower surface 1 a of the capacitor element 1 is substantially the same as a sum of the height T2 and the thickness of a conductive adhesive agent (not shown) to be provided between the bent part 41 and the cathode layer 15.

Next, the capacitor element 1 is mounted on the anode and cathode frames 61 and 62 in the following manner as shown in FIG. 9. The lower surface 1 a of the capacitor element 1 faces the frames 61 and 62, and the direction 91 in which the anode member 12 extends is substantially perpendicular to the direction 93 in which the anode and cathode frames 61 and 62 are aligned. The anode member 12 faces the anode frame 61. Further, part of the lower surface 1 a of the capacitor element 1 that is in a region different from a region where the anode member 12 is provided faces the bent part 41 of the cathode frame 62. In addition, a conductive adhesive agent (not shown) is provided between surfaces of the bent part 41 and the cathode layer 15 facing each other, thereby electrically connecting the cathode frame 62 and the cathode layer 15 to each other.

The degree of projection T1 of the anode member 12 is substantially the same as a sum of the height T2 of the bent part 41 and the thickness of the aforementioned conductive adhesive agent. So, mounting the capacitor element 1 makes the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 contact the anode frame 61. In the element mounting step, surfaces of the anode frame 61 and the anode member 12 contacting each other are subjected to welding to electrically connect the anode frame 61 and the anode member 12 to each other.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view used to explain the outer package forming step. In the outer package foaming step shown in FIG. 10, the capacitor element 1 is covered with the outer package member 2 by using a molding technique. At this time, the lower surfaces 61 a and 62 a of the anode and cathode frames 61 and 62 respectively are exposed at the lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2. Resin such as an epoxy resin is used to form the outer package member 2.

In the cutting step, the anode and cathode frames 61 and 62 are cut at positions D and E respectively shown in FIG. 10. As a result, part of the anode frame 61 left in the outer package member 2 becomes the anode terminal 3, and part of the cathode frame 62 left in the outer package member 2 becomes the cathode terminal 4 to finish formation of the solid electrolytic capacitor.

In the solid electrolytic capacitor described above, the parts of the surfaces of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 are exposed at the lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2. These exposed surfaces of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 form the anode and cathode terminal surfaces 30 and 40 of the solid electrolytic capacitor respectively. Further, this solid electrolytic capacitor is given a current path 6 extending from the anode terminal surface 30 through the anode member 12 to the cathode terminal surface 40 as shown in FIG. 3.

In the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor, the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 projects from the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11. This places the exposed portion (lower end portion 121) of the anode member 12 at a position below the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11 to shorten a distance of the exposed portion to the lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2. Thus, in this solid electrolytic capacitor, the distance of the exposed portion to the anode terminal surface 30 is shorter than a corresponding distance in the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor shown in FIG. 17, thereby making the current path 6 shorter. As a result, the solid electrolytic capacitor achieves reduction of ESL and/or reduction of ESR.

In the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor, both the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 extend to the lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2 without passing through the side surfaces of the outer package member 2 to expose the parts of the surfaces of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 at the lower surface 2 a. So, this solid electrolytic capacitor shortens the length of a path in the anode terminal 3 between the anode terminal surface 30 and the exposed portion (lower end portion 121) of the anode member 12, and shortens the length of a path in the cathode terminal 4 between the cathode terminal surface 40 and the cathode layer 15. As a result, the solid electrolytic capacitor achieves further reduction of ESL and/or reduction of ESR.

The structure of the embodiment is an example of a preferable structure, and is not intended to exclude a structure such as that of a third modification described later where the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 each pass through a side surface of the outer package member 2 to reach the lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2.

In the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor, the anode member 12 extends between the first and second side surfaces 11 b and 11 c of the anode body 11, so the region R of the anode member 12 where the anode member 12 is exposed spreads in the direction 91 in which the anode member 12 extends. In this solid electrolytic capacitor, the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 are spaced apart from each other in the direction 92 substantially perpendicular to the direction 91. So, a contact area between the exposed portion (lower end portion 121) and the anode terminal 3 can be increased by making the anode terminal 3 spread further in the direction 91. Increasing this contact area reduces electrical resistance to be generated between the anode member 12 and the anode terminal 3. As a result, the solid electrolytic capacitor achieves further reduction of ESR.

If the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 are spaced apart from each other in a direction substantially the same as the direction 91 in which the anode member 12 extends, connection between the anode terminal 3 and the anode member 12 may be limited only to part of the exposed portion (lower end portion 121). However, the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor is free from such limitations, and allows the anode terminal 3 to be connected to the entire exposed portion of the anode member 12. As a result, design of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 including arrangement of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4, and connections between the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 and the capacitor element 1, can be made with a high degree of freedom. As an example, the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 can be designed in a manner shown in a second modification (FIG. 14) described later.

The structure of the embodiment is an example of a preferable structure, and is not intended to exclude a structure such as that of a first modification described later where the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 are spaced apart from each other in a direction substantially the same as the direction 91 in which the anode member 12 extends.

Also, in the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor, the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 projects from the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11. This makes it possible to easily form electrical connection between the exposed portion (lower end portion 121) and the anode terminal 3 during the manufacturing process of the solid electrolytic capacitor.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the first modification of the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor. FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views taken along lines XII-XII and XIIII-XIII of FIG. 11 respectively. In the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor, the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 may be spaced apart from each other in a direction substantially the same as the direction 91 in which the anode member 12 extends as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, the anode member 12 extends from the first side surface 11 b to a predetermined position toward the second side surface 11 c of the anode body 11, but does not reach the second side surface 11 c. Further, the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 projects from the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11. The anode terminal 3 extends in the direction 92 substantially perpendicular to the direction 91 as shown in FIG. 11. Further, the anode terminal 3 is electrically connected to the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 in a position near the first side surface 11 b of the anode body 11 as shown in FIG. 12.

The cathode terminal 4 is spaced apart from the anode terminal 3 in the direction 91, and which extends substantially parallel to the anode terminal 3 as shown in FIG. 11. The cathode terminal 4 is spaced below the anode member 12 as shown in FIG. 12. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, an outer periphery of the cathode terminal 4 closer to the anode terminal 3 is provided with first electrical connections 421 placed at two positions on the outer periphery between which the anode member 12 is placed. The first electrical connections 421 are each in the form of an inverted L, and extend toward the anode terminal 3. An outer periphery of the cathode terminal 4 farther from the anode terminal 3 is provided with second electrical connections 422 placed at two positions on the outer periphery between which the anode member 12 is placed. The second electrical connections 422 are each in the form of an inverted L, and extend in a direction away from the anode terminal 3. The second electrical connections 422 are coupled to each other through a coupling part 423.

The first electrical connections 421, the second electrical connections 422, and the coupling part 423 are each electrically connected to the cathode layer 15 at a position below the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11. This makes electrical connection of the cathode terminal 4 to the cathode layer 15 through the first electrical connections 421, the second electrical connections 422, and the coupling part 423.

In the solid electrolytic capacitor of the first modification, part of a surface of the anode terminal 3 and part of a surface of the cathode terminal 4 are exposed at the lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2. These exposed surfaces of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 foam the anode and cathode terminal surfaces 30 and 40 of the solid electrolytic capacitor respectively. Further, this solid electrolytic capacitor is given a current path 6 extending from the anode terminal surface 30 through the anode member 12 to the cathode terminal surface 40 as shown in FIG. 12.

Like in the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor, the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 projects from the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11 in the solid electrolytic capacitor of the first modification. This places the exposed portion (lower end portion 121) of the anode member 12 at a position below the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11 to shorten a distance of the exposed portion to the lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2. Thus, in the solid electrolytic capacitor of the first modification, the distance of the exposed portion to the anode terminal surface 30 is shorter than a corresponding distance in the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor shown in FIG. 17, thereby making the current path 6 shorter. As a result, the solid electrolytic capacitor achieves reduction of ESL and/or reduction of ESR.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the second modification of the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor. As shown in FIG. 14, the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor may include a plurality of terminal units 63 arranged in the direction 91 in which the anode member 12 extends and each of which is composed of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4. The arrangement of two adjacent ones of the terminal units 63 relative to each other is such that the anode terminal 3 belonging to one of the adjacent terminal units 63 and the cathode terminal 4 belonging to the other of the adjacent terminal units 63 are substantially parallel to each other.

In the solid electrolytic capacitor of the second modification, in response to application of a voltage to each of the terminal units 63, currents in opposite directions flow in the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 substantially parallel to each other that belong to two adjacent ones of the terminal units 63. So, magnetic fields generated by these currents cancel each other out, thereby generating current canceling effect in the solid electrolytic capacitor. As a result, the solid electrolytic capacitor of the second modification achieves further reduction of ESL.

In the solid electrolytic capacitor of the second modification, regarding two adjacent ones of the terminal units 63 relative to each other, it is preferable that a distance H1 between the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 belonging to each of the adjacent terminal units 63 be substantially the same as a distance H2 between the adjacent terminal units 63 as shown in FIG. 14, or smaller than the distance H2. This can make the distance H1 smaller to make the current path 6 (see FIG. 3) still shorter. As a result, the solid electrolytic capacitor achieves further reduction of ESL and/or reduction of ESR.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a third modification of the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor. In the solid electrolytic capacitor, the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 may pass through side surfaces 2 b and 2 c of the outer package member 2 respectively to reach the lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2 as shown in FIG. 15. In the solid electrolytic capacitor of the third modification, the anode terminal 3 is pulled out of the outer package member 2 through the side surface 2 b, and the cathode terminal 4 is pulled out of the outer package member 2 through the side surface 2 c opposite the side surface 2 b. The anode terminal 3 is bent along the side and lower surfaces 2 b and 2 a of the outer package member 2 to be routed to the lower surface 2 a. The cathode terminal 4 is bent along the side and lower surfaces 2 c and 2 a of the outer package member 2 to be routed to the lower surface 2 a. Thus, part of the anode terminal 3 and part of the cathode terminal 4 are placed on the lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2, and lower surfaces of these parts of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 form the anode and cathode terminal surfaces 30 and 40 of the solid electrolytic capacitor respectively.

Meanwhile, a conventional solid electrolytic capacitor may also have a structure such as that shown in FIG. 18. The solid electrolytic capacitor of FIG. 18 differs from the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor of FIG. 17 in that the pulled-out portion 812 a of the anode lead 812 and the anode terminal 83 are electrically connected to each other while the pillow member 85 is not provided therebetween, and that the anode and cathode terminals 83 and 84 pass through side surfaces 82 b and 82 c of the outer package member 82 respectively to reach the lower surface 82 a of the outer package member 82. Like the structure of the solid electrolytic capacitor of FIG. 17, the structure of FIG. 18 also finds difficulty in shortening the current path 86 extending from the anode terminal surface 830 through the anode lead 812 to reach the cathode terminal surface 840.

The solid electrolytic capacitor of the third modification makes a distance of the exposed portion (lower end portion 121) of the anode member 12 to the anode terminal surface 30 shorter than a corresponding distance in the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor shown in FIG. 18. Thus, a current path 6 extending from the anode terminal surface 30 through the anode member 12 to the cathode terminal surface 40 is shortened, so that the solid electrolytic capacitor achieves reduction of ESL and/or reduction of ESR.

The structure of each part of the invention is not limited to that shown in the embodiment described above. Various modifications can be devised without departing from the technical scope recited in claims. By way of example, in the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor, the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 may not project from the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11, namely, the lower end surface of the anode member 12 and the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11 may be arranged on the same plane. This structure also makes a distance of the exposed portion of the anode member 12 to the anode terminal surface 30 shorter than a corresponding distance in the conventional solid electrolytic capacitor shown in FIG. 17. Thus, the current path 6 is shortened, so that the solid electrolytic capacitor achieves reduction of ESL and/or reduction of ESR. Further, design of the anode and cathode terminals 3 and 4 can be made with a high degree of freedom. Meanwhile, it is preferable that the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12 project from the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11. The reason therefor is as follows. The lower end portion 121 may be shifted in a direction same as or opposite the direction 93 from a predetermined position on the anode frame 61 when the capacitor element 1 is mounted on the anode and cathode frames 61 and 62 in the element mounting step (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Even in this case, if the lower end portion 121 projects from the lower surface 11 a of the anode body 11 as shown in FIG. 3, the anode frame 61 and the cathode layer 15 will not contact each other to prevent electrical short therebetween.

In the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor, the anode member 12 extends from the first side surface 11 b toward the second side surface 11 c of the anode body 11. However, the anode member 12 may not reach the second side surface 11 c. Also, the anode member 12 may be a metallic member in the form of a cylindrical column (such as a metal wire), or a metallic member in the form of a prism. Meanwhile, it is preferable that the anode member 12 be not in the form of a cylindrical column, but in the form of a prism, specifically in the form of a quadrangular prism. The reason therefor is that this increases a contact area between the anode member 12 and the anode terminal 3 to achieve reduction of ESR of the solid electrolytic capacitor.

Additionally, in the aforementioned solid electrolytic capacitor, the anode terminal 3 may include upper and lower stage parts 31 and 32 formed by deforming the anode terminal 3 into the shape of a crank by bending as shown in FIG. 16. In this structure, the upper stage part 31 has an upper surface electrically connected to the lower end portion 121 of the anode member 12, and a lower surface covered with the outer package member 2. Further, the lower stage part 32 has a lower surface exposed at the lower surface 2 a of the outer package member 2, and this exposed surface forms the anode terminal surface 30 of the solid electrolytic capacitor. In the solid electrolytic capacitor shown in FIG. 16, covering the lower surface of the upper stage part 31 with the outer package member 2 makes the anode terminal 3 less likely to be separated from the outer package member 2. In the solid electrolytic capacitor shown in FIG. 16, a distance L1 between the lower surface 1 a of the capacitor element 1 and the upper surface of the lower stage part 32 of the anode terminal 3 is substantially the same as a sum of the height T2 of the bent part 41 of the cathode terminal 4 and the thickness of a conductive adhesive agent (not shown) provided between the bent part 41 and the cathode layer 15. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A solid electrolytic capacitor, comprising: a capacitor element including an anode body, an anode member buried in the anode body, a dielectric layer, an electrolyte layer formed on the dielectric layer, and a cathode layer formed on the electrolyte layer, the anode member extending in a predetermined direction along a lower surface of the anode body and having a lower end portion exposed at the lower surface of the anode body, the dielectric layer being formed on part of a surface of the anode body that is in a region different from a region where the anode body contacts the anode member; an outer package member covering the capacitor element; an anode terminal electrically connected to the lower end portion of the anode member, the anode terminal partially being placed at a lower surface of the outer package member; and a cathode terminal electrically connected to the cathode layer at a position below the lower surface of the anode body, the cathode terminal partially being placed at the lower surface of the outer package member, the anode and cathode terminals being spaced apart from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the anode member extends, the anode body having an outer circumference including a first side surface and a second side surface substantially opposite each other, the predetermined direction in which the anode member extends being a direction from the first side surface toward the second side surface, the anode member having an edge surface exposed at least at one of the first and second side surfaces.
 2. The solid electrolytic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein terminal units are arranged in the predetermined direction in which the anode member extends, each of the terminal units being composed of the anode and cathode terminals.
 3. The solid electrolytic capacitor according to claim 2, wherein the arrangement of two adjacent ones of the terminal units relative to each other is such that an anode terminal belonging to one of the adjacent terminal units and a cathode terminal belonging to the other of the adjacent terminal units are substantially parallel to each other.
 4. The solid electrolytic capacitor according to claim 2, regarding two adjacent ones of the terminal units relative to each other, a distance between anode and cathode terminals belonging to each of the adjacent terminal units is substantially the same as or smaller than a distance between the adjacent terminal units.
 5. The solid electrolytic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein part of a surface of the anode terminal and part of a surface of the cathode terminal are exposed at the lower surface of the outer package member.
 6. The solid electrolytic capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the edge surface of the anode member includes a first edge surface and a second edge surface, the first and second edge surfaces being exposed at the first and second side surfaces respectively, and part of the lower surface of the anode body where the lower end portion of the anode member is exposed extends from the first side surface to the second side surface. 